Quick Eat: Anchovy Fried Rice at Pam Real Thai

I've chatted about Pam Real Thai at some point, not sure when, but it is one of my favorite Thai spots in the NYC area. I used to frequent this place every few weeks when I was in Hells Kitchen more often, but now that I am in Brooklyn I barely see it. Well on a recent weekend I was in the neighborhood and felt the need to revisit my old friend. A super inexpensive spot, Pam Real Thai is cash only and always bustling. Tonight Hung, Top Chef winner from a few seasons back, was there dining with friends. It was great to see him there, but sorry Hung, I was here for the food. My top dish whenever I go out for Thai is Pad See Eiw, occasionally spelled a bit different around the city, but generally the same dish: broad rice noodles, beef or chicken, egg and Chinese broccoli in a sweet soy based sauce (I recommend beef). This was great, but the real star of the night was a dish I'd never had before: Anchovy Fried Rice ($7.50). This rice dish simply had everything, fried jasmine rice, anchovy paste, Thai omelet, scallions, honey pork and tiny dried shrimp. Specked with Thai chilies this dish hit so many notes, the sweet, salty and of course spicy. The dried shrimp offered not only a salty note, but a crunch, adding to the already complex textures. Overall it's one of my new favorite dishes here and something I highly recommend if you are looking for something a little different.
404 West 49th Street, 212-333-7500, Reservations - Not Accepted, Price - Inexpensive/Moderate ($10-20/person)